Tai-verberations
Quang Vo
With fondest memories of Taiwan, I dedicate this poem to my Taiwanese
friends and with deep gratitude to Mr. Don Wang.
I. Encountering old friends at Chia Nan University
In our morning rush to Tainan Station,
we nearly missed
three familiar faces
we met one Houston summer
standing by our shuttle bus.
Dropping our laden bags,
we rushed to hug the shy figures
light as willows
not knowing when we would meet again.
Days travelling through pigeon colored skies
felt warmer—
with each parting smile.
II. Outside the matchmaker god’s shrine
Yue Lao
the matchmaker god
has a little shrine stocked with devotees.
Outside, the many hopeful angel-eyed
sprout dreams sweeter than tangerines,
higher than woodwind trills.
Standing comfortably next to you,
I see the sanctuary smoke
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